The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed the US government’s offer to take in up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees in the US over the next 3-4 years.
"This extremely welcome and generous offer, plus interest also shown by Canada and Australia in settling these refugees, may help break the deadlock which has existed for many years in finding a positive and lasting solution for these people. We consider that all options should still be kept open for a comprehensive solution to the plight of the refugees, UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said at a press briefing on Saturday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
"We've known for some time that several resettlement countries were considering accepting refugees from Bhutan, but the US announcement is the first concrete offer," she said.
Pagonis, however, maintained that the way ahead was still complex. "Firstly, and most importantly, it's up to the refugees to decide if they want to be resettled. Many have held to the idea of returning to Bhutan and may not want to resettle. Their decision will be respected."
She further said, "But recently, we've noticed more refugees want to be resettled and start a new life. Young adults and children who were born and grew up in the camps and who know Bhutan only from their parents' stories are like youngsters anywhere – they have dreams and career ambitions and can't achieve them sitting in a refugee camp."
She noted that vulnerable refugees who find camp conditions particularly tough would also be glad of the opportunity for a less restricted and difficult life in a resettlement country.
”We hope the Nepalese government will maximise the opportunity being presented by these interested countries to help resolve this very protracted situation,” she further said.
Earlier this week in Geneva, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugee and Migration Affairs, Ellen Sauerbrey, announced that the US was ready to resettle up to 60,000 out of some 106000 refugees from Bhutan who have been living in camps in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.
15 rounds of ministerial level talks between Nepal and Bhutan have ended in deadlock. Bilateral negotiations remain stalled since last two years after the Bhutanese Joint Verification Team (JVT) members were allegedly mistreated by the refugees.
"This extremely welcome and generous offer, plus interest also shown by Canada and Australia in settling these refugees, may help break the deadlock which has existed for many years in finding a positive and lasting solution for these people. We consider that all options should still be kept open for a comprehensive solution to the plight of the refugees, UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said at a press briefing on Saturday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
"We've known for some time that several resettlement countries were considering accepting refugees from Bhutan, but the US announcement is the first concrete offer," she said.
Pagonis, however, maintained that the way ahead was still complex. "Firstly, and most importantly, it's up to the refugees to decide if they want to be resettled. Many have held to the idea of returning to Bhutan and may not want to resettle. Their decision will be respected."
She further said, "But recently, we've noticed more refugees want to be resettled and start a new life. Young adults and children who were born and grew up in the camps and who know Bhutan only from their parents' stories are like youngsters anywhere – they have dreams and career ambitions and can't achieve them sitting in a refugee camp."
She noted that vulnerable refugees who find camp conditions particularly tough would also be glad of the opportunity for a less restricted and difficult life in a resettlement country.
”We hope the Nepalese government will maximise the opportunity being presented by these interested countries to help resolve this very protracted situation,” she further said.
Earlier this week in Geneva, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugee and Migration Affairs, Ellen Sauerbrey, announced that the US was ready to resettle up to 60,000 out of some 106000 refugees from Bhutan who have been living in camps in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.
15 rounds of ministerial level talks between Nepal and Bhutan have ended in deadlock. Bilateral negotiations remain stalled since last two years after the Bhutanese Joint Verification Team (JVT) members were allegedly mistreated by the refugees.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and founding member of the Nepali Congress (NC) Krishna Prasad Bhattarai held discussion regarding the party unification at the latter's residence in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, on Thursday.